We would like to wholeheartedly endorse Alan Randall's calls for the regeneration of Madeira Drive (Letters, January 28), much of which falls within our ward.

It must be made a more attractive and safer place to visit without detracting from the fine historical features such as the Colonnades.

We urge the council to pursue plans the previous administration was considering to restore the area to its former glory, including repairs to the Madeira Lift which is key to accessing the area.

It was the Labour-led council which invested in the new Peter Pan's Playground, kept the Volks Railway going and which gave the go-ahead for the popular beach volleyball courts to be installed.

The council should act to bring together funding and key partners including the Kingscliffe Society to create an area very much as Mr Randall describes. One which focuses on healthy activity and the unique mix of Regency and Victorian heritage, and which bridges the gap between the pier and Black Rock.

Does Alan Randall not realise that under its planning advisory notice (Pan04), the council's masterplan for East Brighton, Madeira Drive is earmarked for a rapid transport system. This will probably turn out to be loads of buses to link the new satellite town at Brighton Marina to Brighton station via Palace Pier.

Adam Trimingham supported the Brunswick development which included the waiving of the 1968 Act of Parliament to protect us from high buildings, so what did we expect would happen to Madeira Drive?

What about the 26 days a year Madeira Drive is closed for special events? Events that attract thousands of tourists to our city?

When the planners have finished who will want to visit Brighton?

I think back to the tented community of miners who built our undercliff walk to protect us from the sea. Our forefathers needed no warning about global warming unlike our present council which wants more than 3,000 people to live below high water mark.

  • Pamela Brickman, Marine Drive Brighton

I couldn't agree more with Alan Randall that Madeira Drive is crying out for long-overdue attention and improvements. This important stretch of our seafront serves as an outdoor arena for so many of the cultural events taking place in our city (from the Burning of the Clocks, to the London to Brighton Bike Ride, and numerous motor rallies).

It has been neglected for too long, and clearly deserves to have some imagination and attention lavished on it.

It would be interesting to explore some of Mr Randall's ideas, and I will be calling on Brighton and Hove City Council to begin examining ways in which we can make the most of Madeira Drive.

I think we would all agree that the excellent improvements to the seafront between the piers has been a real driver in Brighton and Hove's rejuvenation. It's time to move forward once again.